Automatic Voice Channel Assignment for Restaurant Crews

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems struggle to efficiently assign and manage voice communication channels for groups of people, such as employees in a quick-service restaurant, leading to inefficiencies and potential miscommunication.

Innovation Solution

A communication system and method that automatically assigns voice communication channels based on user input and role-specific associations, using electronic storage and hardware processors to determine and configure channel assignments, and transmit audio information targeted to specific communication groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual channel assignment is used for communication devices, then employees can communicate effectively, but the system complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of channel assignmentVSAvoidSystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs channel assignment without requiring manual configuration by employees. The communication device receives user input, automatically determines communication channel assignments based on role associations stored in electronic storage, and configures itself, eliminating the need for manual intervention while reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores associations between communication groups and voice communication channels in electronic storage before communication occurs. When an employee provides user input, the system quickly retrieves pre-established role associations and automatically assigns appropriate channels, avoiding real-time decision complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automatic channel assignment is implemented, then communication efficiency improves, but the risk of miscommunication and channel overlap increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCommunication efficiencyVSAvoidCommunication accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system receives device-specific packets from communication devices and generates downlink packets organized in broadcast channels based on the assigned communication groups. This feedback mechanism ensures that audio information is delivered to the correct channels, preventing miscommunication while maintaining automatic assignment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments communication channels into distinct broadcast channels organized by communication groups. Each communication group is associated with specific voice communication channels, creating clear segmentation that prevents channel overlap and ensures reliable delivery of audio information to appropriate employees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If multiple communication channels are assigned to different roles, then relevant information delivery improves, but the quantity of communication devices and channels increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInformation relevanceVSAvoidQuantity of communication channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a single communication device that can be assigned to multiple communication groups and roles. The device receives user input identifying the employee and their role, then automatically determines appropriate channel assignments from pre-stored associations, allowing one device to serve multiple functions without requiring separate devices for each role.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication channel assignments are dynamic and can be reconfigured based on the employee's current role. When user input is received, the system automatically determines the appropriate communication channel assignments based on the employee's current position and responsibilities, allowing flexible information delivery without permanently increasing the number of channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12302365B2Systems and methods for automatically assigning voice communication channels to employees in quick service restaurants
Publication Date: 2025.05.13 HM ELECTRONICS INC
  • US12302365B2 patent drawing
  • US12302365B2 patent drawing
  • US12302365B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for assigning voice communication channels used by a crew of employees using communication devices are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: electronically store information, wherein the information represents associations of individual voice communication channels with one or more communication groups; receive user input that identifies employees, automatically determine sets of communication channel assignments per communication device, between communication channels and subsets of communication groups; configure communication devices according to the determined assignments; and facilitate packet-based communication, using the communication channels, between the communication devices.